Victim charged in Lillington party shooting

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Lillington, N.C. — One of four men shot at a Lillington party early Sunday was charged Monday in the shooting, and Harnett County authorities said they are searching for a second suspect.

Eric Antonio Cannady, 29, of 138 Precious Lane in Lillington, surrendered to Harnett County deputies and was charged with assault inflicting serious injury and possession of a firearm by a felon. He was being held in the Harnett County jail under a $150,000 bond.

Cannady was charged with shooting Julius Atkinson, 23, of Dunn, at 995 Shawtown Road, according to an arrest report. The building has been rented out for parties for years, owner Bobby McGirt said.

Authorities also issued arrest warrants for Tommy Ray Jackson Jr., 26, of 140 Easy Lane in Spring Lake, charging him with assault with deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and possession of a firearm by a felon. Authorities said Jackson should be considered armed and dangerous and asked anyone with information on his whereabouts call the Harnett County Sheriff’s Office at 910-893-9111.

In addition to Cannady and Atkinson, Curtis West, 21, of Linden, and Javier Guerrant, 20, of Dunn, were shot. It was unclear if any of the men was still hospitalized Monday.

McGirt said the shooting started inside the building and spread outside. He said he is reconsidering doing business with the group that has hosted parties there in the past few months.